Heng, Harris Wei Khang and Ooi, Jillian Lean Sim and Affendi, Yang Amri and Alfian, Abdul Adzis Kee and Ponnampalam, Louisa Shobhini (2022) Dugong feeding grounds and spatial feeding patterns in subtidal seagrass: A case study at Sibu Archipelago, Malaysia. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 264. ISSN 0272-7714, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107670.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In Southeast Asia, seagrass meadows are under threat through coastal development and increased pollution, but remain understudied. The dugong is a marine herbivore that is dependent on the availability of seagrass as a primary food source. In this study, we assess the patterns of co-occurrence between dugongs and seagrass. We hypothesize that the changing spatial patterns of dugong feeding are positively correlated to the seasonal variation in distribution and abundance of mixed species in subtidal tropical seagrass meadows. We documented seagrass cover and dugong feeding trails in the Sibu Archipelago meadow in Johor, Malaysia, across the monsoon seasons of 2016-2017 using an underwater towed video method. Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics were used to quantify the degree of clustering in feeding trails, feeding patch size, and to identify feeding hotspots and coldspots. This site has the single largest subtidal meadow in Peninsular Malaysia known to date, measuring 12.88 km2. The study captured a reduction in seagrass extent and coverage during the study. Feeding trail occurrence averaged three per image throughout the seasons, with the maximum number being 14 trails per image. Dugongs fed in a spatially clustered manner leaving two distinct feeding trail patterns: (1) a dispersed pattern when seagrass cover was high or low (76-100% and 0-25%) that resulted in larger patch sizes, and (2) a concentrated pattern in moderate seagrass cover (26-75%) that resulted in smaller patch size. Feeding hotspots and coldspots had significantly different seagrass cover, suggesting that dugongs foraged strategically within the meadow. Our results demonstrate that seagrass cover played a significant role in driving dugong feeding patterns and in creating feeding hotspots and coldspots in tropical subtidal meadows.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | Universiti Malaya [ RP019-16SUS], Global Environment Facility Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project (GEF DSCP) Grant [MY42114], Malaysian Nature Society Young Environmental Research Grant 2017 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Foraging; Feeding hotspot; Feeding trail; Herbivory; Seagrass coverage; Johor |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography |
| Divisions: | Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2022 01:40 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2022 01:40 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/33681 |
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